Prodigal Son: “Going It Alone” and the Road Back to God
March 23, 2011 | XII.Grace: To know the mercy of the Father and His unconditional love for me — even in the midst of my sinfulness.
Text for Prayer: Lk. 15:11-32
Reflection: The Prodigal Son story is one of the most familiar parables in the New Testament that one can return to time and again. We recall the basic outline: The son, wanting to strike out on his own, approaches his father for his inheritance early. He travels into the far country, away from what is known and safe, and gives himself to a life of debauchery and misery. Exhausted and penniless from trying to go it alone, he finds his way back to his father’s house in fear and trembling of his father’s rejection. And upon his return, his ever-watchful father sees him coming and “was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”
With familiarity, it is easy to breeze through the parable’s narrative. “I’ve seen this movie before,” we say, and besides, most of us take for granted that when you reach a certain age, you move on from your parents’ home, and learn from your own mistakes. And as frequently happens nowadays, people move for jobs or higher education halfway across the country with little thought of duties to their parents. Our culture revels in breaking free and experiencing the world. The idea of living with one’s parents is unusual and unwelcome.
Posted by Mr. Joseph Simmons, S.J. in XII.